A large and important fragment of a Kashan lustre bowl depicting a seated couple, Persia, late 12th/early 13th century

the fritware body painted in lustre on an opaque white glaze, featuring two faces leaning against each other, both wearing crowned headdresses and richly decorated garments under a sun with painted face, with animals, chequerboard tress and kufic and cursive inscriptions in the background, the rim with running animals against leafy scrolls, exterior decorated in deep cobalt-blue glaze

'Lustre - Exhibition of Famous Ceramics' in The Beauty of Persian Ceramics, Nihombashi Takashima-ya, Tokyo, 1982, no.Z-37. 
 
Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

'Lustre - Exhibition of Famous Ceramics' in The Beauty of Persian Ceramics, Nihombashi Takashima-ya, Tokyo, 1982, no.Z-37. 

O. Pancaroglu, Perpetual Glory. Medieval Islamic Ceramics From The Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2007, pp.130-131. no.83.

In fairly good condition, bright lustre, recomposed from fragments some rubbing to surface, two collectors' labels to exterior, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

In Kufic:  al-'izz al-da'im  'Perpetual glory'

In a casual hand, a suggested reading: 

... sar-e ma va ruy-e ... mishayadat 

'Our head and the face of .... Would be agreeable to your ....'

There are traces of an inscription in blue glaze under the base, undeciphered.